[% META 
     title = 'The Nick Simper Discobiography'
%]

<!-- name tags 0026 -->


<p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=15 cellspacing=0 width=100%>
<tr>
<td><img src="0members/ns1.jpg" width=155 heigth=200></td>
<td><font size=3>
<font size=5>N</font>ick <font size=5>S</font>imper...
<p>
was born on 3rd November 1945 in Norwood Green, Southall, Great Britain. He played in various bands before joining early Deep Purple.
</font></td>
</tr></table>
</p>


<a name="0001"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0001</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>1960 to 196?</b>
<h3>The Renegades</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
&nbsp;
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Nick Simper (gtr); with some others.
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0002"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0002</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>196? to November 1964</b>
<h3>The Delta Five</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
&nbsp;
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Nick Simper (gtr); with others.
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0003"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0003</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>November 1964 to September 1965</b>
<h3>Buddy Britten &amp; the Regents</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
&nbsp;
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Buddy Britten (gtr/vcl); Tony Lost (pno); Roger Pinner (drm); Nick Simper (bss).
<p>
Released two singles.
<p>
<font size="2">
<u>Albums &amp; singles</u><br>
She's About A Mover/Since You've Gone : UK 1965 Piccadilly 7N 35241 <br>
Right Now/Jailer Bring Me Water : UK 1965 Piccadilly 7N 35257 <br>
</font>
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0004"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0004</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>September 1965 to April 1966</b>
<h3>Simon Raven Cult</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
&nbsp;
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Kid Freedom [= Nick Simper] (bss); Richard Honour (kbr); Simon Raven [= Buddy Britten] (gtr/vcl); Roger Truth [= Roger Pinner] (drm).
<p>
Buddy Britten &amp; the Regents transformed itself into Simon Raven Cult and released one single. 
<p>
<font size="2">
<u>Albums &amp; singles</u><br>
I Wonder If She Remembers Me/Sea Of Love : UK 1966 Piccadilly 7N 35301 <br>
</font>
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0005"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0005</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>May 1966 to October 1966</b>
<h3>Johnny Kidd &amp; the New Pirates</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
&nbsp;
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Johnny Kidd (vcl); Roger Pinner (drm); Nick Simper (bss); Ray Soaper (kbr); Mick Stewart (gtr).
<p>
Johnny Kidd &amp; the New Pirates toured the UK until October 1966, when Kidd was killed in a car accident. Before that they had recorded and released a single. The Pirates tried to live on without Kidd.
<p>
<font size="2">
<u>Albums &amp; singles</u><br>
Send For That Girl/The Fool : UK Nov 1966 HMV POP 1559<br>
<p>
<u>Material from above appears on...</u><br>
The Best Of Johnny Kidd &amp; The Pirates [lp] : UK Apr 1978 EMI NUTM 12<br>
Rarities [lp] : US 1983 See For Miles Records CM120<br>
</font>
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0006"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0006</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>December 1966 to May 1967</b>
<h3>Pirates</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
&nbsp;
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Johnny Carroll (vcl/kbr); Roger Pinner (drm); Nick Simper (bss); Mick Stewart (gtr); and later John Kerrison (drm).
<p>
Tried to survive on their own after Kidd had died. Kerrison replaced Pinner on drums sometime during 1967. Most probably they didn't release any recordings. Anyone to confirm?</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0007"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0007</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>May to October 1967</b>
<p>
Simper did various session work during 1967. He also toured together with Screaming Lord Sutch, Billie Davis, and others. Simper was also in a group called Cyrano &amp; the Bergeracs either during this period or perhaps earlier. 
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0008"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0008</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>October 1967 to February 1968</b>
<h3>The Flowerpot Men</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
&nbsp;
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Tony Burrows (vcl); Neil Landon (vcl); Jon Lord (kbr); Carlo Little (drm); Pete Nelson (vcl); Ged Peck (gtr); Robin Shaw (vcl); Nick Simper (bss).
<p>
The Flowerpot Men was a studio concept created by the duo Carter/Lewis, who recorded and released &quot;Let's Go To San Francisco&quot; during 1967. It became a huge hit. Thus a touring band was quickly assembled. Simper joined on bass. While on tour, the original keyboard player caught the flue (or something), and thus Simper's old mate Jon Lord was brought in for the remainder of the tour. Neither Simper nor Lord took part of any recordings though.
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0009"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0009</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>February/March 1968</b>
<h3>Roundabout</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
&nbsp;
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Ritchie Blackmore (gtr); Chris Curtis (vcl); Dave Curtis (vcl); Jon Lord (kbr); Nick Simper (bss); Bobby Woodman (drm).
<p>
The embryonic Deep Purple. Chris Curtis soon disappeared, as did Dave Curtis and Bobby Woodman. In came Rod Evans and Ian Paice.
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0010"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0010</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>March/April 1968</b>
<h3>Roundabout</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
&nbsp;
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Ritchie Blackmore (gtr); Rod Evans (vcl); Jon Lord (kbr); Nick Simper (bss); Ian Paice (drm).
<p>
Following a Scandinavian tour in April 1968, Roundabout decided to transform itself into Deep Purple.
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0011"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0011</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>April 1968 to July 1969</b>
<h3>Deep Purple Mk I</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=230>
<img src="0covers/1968shades.jpg" width=70 heigth=70> 
<img src="0covers/1968booktaliesyn.jpg" width=70 heigth=70> 
<img src="0covers/1969dp3rd.jpg" width=70 heigth=70>
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Ritchie Blackmore (gtr); Rod Evans (vcl); Jon Lord (kbr); Ian Paice (drm); Nick Simper (bss).
<p>
This pioneering line-up recorded three albums: <i>Shades of Deep Purple</i> (1968), <i>Book of Taliesyn</i> (1968) and <i>Deep Purple</i> (1969). In mid-1967, Simper was kicked out of Deep Purple. 
<p>
<font size="2">
<u>Albums &amp; singles</u><br>
<a href="discoidx.html">See the Deep Purple Discography</a><br>
</font>
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0012"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0012</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>Late 1969 to early 1970</b>
<h3>Marsha Hunt Band</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
&nbsp;
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Marsha Hunt (vcl?); Jed Peck (gtr); Mac Poole (drm); Nick Simper (bss); and possibly others as well.
<p>
Eventually, Marsha Hunt got pregnant and decided to quit touring (or perhaps even music biz altogether). The rest of the guys went on to form Warhorse. 
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0013"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0013</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>June 1970 to July 1974</b>
<h3>Warhorse</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=230>
<img src="0covers/ns1970warhorse.jpg" width=70 heigth=70> 
<img src="0covers/ns1983vultureblood.jpg" width=70 heigth=70> 
<img src="0covers/ns1972redsea.jpg" width=70 heigth=70>
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Ashley Holt (vcl); Jed Peck (gtr); Mac Poole (drm); Nick Simper (bss); Frank Wilson (kbr).
<p>
Warhorse recorded and released two albums, while a third came to the demo stage. The demo tracks are included as bonus tracks on the 1997 reissue of <i>Red Sea</i>.
<p>
<font size="2">
<u>Albums &amp; singles</u><br>
St Louis/... : UK 1970 Vertigo <br>
Warhorse [lp] : UK Nov 1970 Vertigo 6360 015<br>
Dynamite (= St Louis)/... : UK 1975 Vertigo [unsure about this one] <br>
Vulture Blood (= Warhorse) [lp] : UK 1983 Thunderbolt THBL-004<br>
Warhorse [lp/cd] : Germany 199- Repertoire LP-REP-2055-TT/CD-REP-4055-WP<br>
Warhorse [cd; extra material] : UK 1997 RPM Records RPM-174<br>
Red Sea [lp] : UK Vertigo 1972<br>
Red Sea [lp] : UK 1984 Thunderbolt THBL-010<br>
Red Sea [lp/cd] : Germany 199- Repertoire LP-REP-2056-TT/CD-REP-4056-WP<br>
Red Sea [cd; extra material] : UK 1997 RPM Records RPM-175<br>
<p>
<u>Material from above appears on...</u><br>
The Warhorse Story - Vols I &amp; II [2cd] : UK? 1997 ? <br>
</font>
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0014"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0014</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>June 1971</b>
<h3>Lord Sutch &amp; Heavy Friends</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
<img src="0covers/ns1972handsofjacktheripper.jpg" width=70 heigth=70>
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Ritchie Blackmore (gtr); Anette Brox (vcl); Victor Brox (vcl); Matthew Fisher (kbr); Brian Keith (vcl/trm); Carlo Little (drm); Keith Moon (drm); Sid Phillips (sxp); Noel Redding (bss); Nick Simper (bss); David Sutch (vcl).
<p>
Screaming Lord Sutch assembled some rock celebrities for a one night gig in a London pub. The whole thing was recorded, though apparently nodoby besides Sutch himself knew that. The recordings were later released as the <i>Hands Of Jack the Ripper</i> album in 1971. 
<p>
<font size="2">
<u>Albums &amp; singles</u><br>
Hands Of Jack The Ripper [lp] : UK 1971 Atlantic<br>
Hands Of Jack The Ripper [lp] : US 1971 Cotillion SD 9049<br>
Hands Of Jack The Ripper [cd] : Germany 1991 Line Records LECD 9.01010-O<br>
<p>
<u>Material from above appears on...</u><br>
Ritchie Blackmore Vol. 2 [lp/cd/mc] : UK Connoisseur RP VSOP LP/MC/CD 157<br>
</font>
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0015"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0015</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>Mid 1974 to mid 1978</b>
<p>
Simper came to work as a writer and house musician for some management company together with Pete Parks. This lasted till he formed Fandango sometime during 1978.
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0016"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0016</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>During 1978</b>
<h3>Rosco Gordon</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
&nbsp;
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Rosco Gordon (pno/vcl); Carlo Little (drm); Sid Phillips (sxp); Nick Simper (bss); and Wayne Bennett (gtr).
<p>
Recorded at 100 Oxford Street in London. 
<p>
<font size="2">
<u>Material appears on...</u><br>
Roscoe Rocks Again [lp] : UK 1983 JSP Records 1052
</font>
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0017"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0017</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>April 1978 till 1980</b>
<h3>Nick Simper's Fandango</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=160>
<img src="0covers/ns1979slipstreaming.jpg" width=70 heigth=70> 
<img src="0covers/ns1999slipstreamfutimes2.jpg" width=70 heigth=70>
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Neil McArthur (kbr); Peter Parks (gtr/vcl); Ron Penney (drm); Jim Proops (vcl); Nick Simper (bss/vcl).
<p>
Simultaneously with Fandango, both Simper and Parks was also in a touring band called Flying Fox (see further below for details). 
<p>
<font size="2">
<u>Albums &amp; singles</u><br>
Slipstreaming [lp] : Germany Apr 1979 Shark Records INT 148.503<br>
Slipstreaming [lp] : UK June 1979 Gull Records GULL-1033<br>
Slipstreaming - Future Times [cd] : UK 1994 RPM Records RPM-125<br>
Slipstreaming - Future Times [2cd; bonus tracks] : EEC? 2000 Angel Air<br>
<p>
<u>Material from above appears on...</u><br>
The Deep Purple Family Album [cd] : UK 1993 Connoisseur RP VSOP CD 187<br>
</font>
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0018"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0018</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>From 1978/79 to 1980</b>
<h3>Flying Fox</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
&nbsp;
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Carlo Little (drm); Pete Parks (gtr); Frankie Reed (vcl); Nick Simper (bss).
<p>
From 1978-ish onwards, Simper was in a UK-based touring band called the Flying Fox. He was simultaneously in Fandango with whom he recorded two albums. With Flying Fox, however, he toured the London area. Their live gigs were apparently very popular. The singer eventually emigrated to Australia in 1980, after which various vocal replacements entered at different periods.
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0019"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0019</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>August 1980</b>
<h3>Nick Simper's Fandango</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=160>
<img src="0covers/ns1982futuretimes.jpg" width=70 heigth=70> 
<img src="0covers/ns1999slipstreamfutimes2.jpg" width=70 heigth=70>
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Peter Parks (gtr/vcl); Mac Poole (drm); Jim Proops (vcl); Nick Simper (bss/vcl); plus possibly others as well. 
<p>
While off touring with Flying Fox, Simper and Parks recorded another album with Fandango. There might have been some additional sessioners involved in this.
<p>
<font size="2">
<u>Albums &amp; singles</u><br>
Future Times [lp] : Germany 1980 Shark Records INT-148.506<br>
Just Another Day/Wish I'd Never Woke Up : UK 1982 Paro Records Paro-S4<br>
Slipstreaming - Future Times [cd] : UK 1994 RPM Records RPM-125<br>
Slipstreaming - Future Times [2cd; bonus tracks] : EEC? 2000 Angel Air<br>
</font>
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0020"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0020</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>From 1980 to 1984/1985</b>
<h3>Flying Fox </h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
&nbsp;
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Alan Barrett (vcl); Marie Dunn (vcl); Ron Harwood (vcl); Carlo Little (drm); Pete Parks (gtr); Nick Simper (bss); and various other people on vocals.
<p>
After the original singer, Reed, had emigrated to Australia in 1980, various vocalists jumped in from time to time. Flying Fox (as the Nicolodeon) recorded a single in 1982 together with some Mari Dunn on vocals. The single was credited to Nicolodeon.
<p>
<font size="2">
<u>Albums &amp; singles</u><br>
Music Music Music [single; Nicolodeon] : UK 1982<br>
</font>
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0021"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0021</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>During 1982/1983</b>
<h3>Roscoe Gordon</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
&nbsp;
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Roscoe Gordon (pno/vcl/gtr); Wayne Bennett (gtr); Ray Ellison (vcl); Carlo Little (drm); Sid Phillips (...); Nick Simper (bss/vcl). 
<p>
Another session with Roscoe.
<p>
<font size="2">
<u>Material appears on...</u><br>
Roscoe Rocks Again [lp] : UK 1983 JSP Records 1052 <br>
</font>
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0022"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0022</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>From 1985-ish to the mid-1990s</b>
<h3>The Good Ole Boys</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
&nbsp;
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Peter Parks (gtr/vcl); Alan Barrett (?); Simon Bishop (?); Nick Simper (bss); Richard Underwood (?); plus occasional in-siters.
<p>
When Flying Fox eventually collapsed, Simper and Parks quickly formed a new band. They toured regularly 'round the London area until the mid-1990s. Did they record anything? Good question.
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0023"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0023</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>December 1994 onwards</b>
<h3>Quatermass II</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
&nbsp;
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Nick Simper (bss); Peter Taylor (vcl); Bernie Torm&eacute; (gtr); Mick Underwood (drm).
<p>
Reformation of a band known to most lovers of British rock. They met, jammed and recorded some demos. Unfortunately though, before closing a record deal, Torm&eacute; and Taylor left. Hm, wonder what happened to those demos?
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0024"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0024</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>Sometime during 1994/1995</b>
<h3>Flying Fox</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
&nbsp;
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Carlo Little (drm); Pete Parks (gtr); Frankie Reed (vcl); Nick Simper (bss); and guests.
<p>
Reed returned briefly from Australia and the original line-up of Flying Fox made a one-time reunion gig (together with invited friends) at a pub in Greenford called The Rising Sun, which was also video-taped. No official release though. 
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0025"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0025</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>August 1996 to June 1997</b>
<h3>Quatermass II</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=160>
<img src="0covers/ns1997longroad1.jpg" width=70 heigth=70> 
<img src="0covers/ns1997longroad2.jpg" width=70 heigth=70>
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Gary Davis (gtr); Bert Foley (vcl/gtr); Nick Simper (bss); Mick Underwood (drm/prc); plus Don Airey (kbr).
<p>
New members were quickly assembled, and a new record was soon recorded.
<p>
<font size=2">
Long Road [cd] : UK 1997 Thunderbird CSA 108<br>
Long Road [cd] : Japan 1997<br>
</font>
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>


<a name="0026"></a>
<hr noshade><font size=1 color="#ccccdd"><b>0026</b></font><p>
<table border=0 cellpadding=3 width=100%>
<tr valign=top><td>
<b>October 2000</b>
<h3>Wee Willie Harris &amp; the Alabama Slammers</h3>
</td><td align=right nowrap width=80>
<img src="0covers/ns2003ragmoppin.jpg" width=70 heigth=70> 
</td></tr><tr valign=top><td colspan=2>
<i>People involved</i><br>
Wee Willie Harris &amp; the Alabama Slammers, with sessioners, eg. Nick Simper (bss), Pete Newman (sxp), Johnny Casanova (pno).
<p>
The Alabama Slammers, a UK-based rock band playing rock'n'roll &agrave; la 50s, backed up Wee Willie Harris on one album. Nick Simper, though not a regular member, apparently plays bass on some tracks. 
<p>
<font size=2">
Rag Moppin' [cd] : UK June 2003 Pollytone Records PEPCD137<br>
</font>
</td></tr>
</table>
</p>



<p>
&nbsp;
</p>